Mulching involves applying a layer of material on top of soil around crops and vegetation. The mulch material can be organic grass clippings, straw, or bark or wood chips or an inorganic option such as stones. It keeps soil moist and shaded, providing a protective layer against heavy rains or colder temperatures
Mulch is another booster of soil health. It acts as a barrier to protect the underlying soil from erosion, weed intrusion, and potential damage from landscape maintenance equipment. It can further help to conserve and extend water applied to the crops and to moderate the effects of temperature extremes on the soil itself and plant roots. Protection from the elements also enables helpful organisms like earthworms to produce valuable, natural nutrients that raise the soil's growth potential.
Best practices for mulch application can vary in different circumstances. Learn more about when to apply mulch, how much to use, and what kind may work best for your land and crops on the CA Field Office Technical Guide website.
The following sections highlight some of the most applicable and effective methods for the Sacramento region and provide access to additional sources to learn more.
